Reminiscing with Caribbean Pete

Olson ‘Caribbean Pete’s last two pieces on his contribution to the Calypso art form caught my attention, particularly that of July 17 which dealt with his days in Barrouallie. Peté, as we called him, was a well known character in Barrouallie through his calypsos, but as he mentioned in that piece he was also my teacher. Pete sang his calypsos just about everywhere in Barrouallie, including my grandparents shop, and we looked forward to his entry into the annual Calypso competition with the songs which we had gotten to know so well since he always tried them out on an indiscriminating audience.{{more}} As a young boy and in days before minivans it was not easy to go to the Competition but there was always what we called a ‘trip’ from Barrouallie by one of the buses owned either by the Connells or Joachims. These trips were made not only for Calypso competitions but particularly when cricket teams went to play in the country. On their return late at night loud shouts and sometimes the blowing of horns would signal victory. So on my bed when the bus returned after the carnival show I knew that our man had won. How disappointed we were one year when Peté lost his crown to ‘Young Sparrow’.

It is difficult to forget Archie Francis with his box guitar but Archie was also my barber and a man who excited and amused the Barrouallie community with his tales. One which remains with me and which Archie swore was true was about a trip he took to Chateaubelair in his boat transporting the Methodist Minister. Archie said that on his way a strong gust blew and took away his cap and as he continued rowing after a few seconds or minutes (I cannot remember which) another gust landed the cap back on his head. He enjoyed telling this tale. One person Peté did not mention and one with whom I always associated him was Wellington Williams aka Sir Willy. Sir Willy was his biggest fan and remembered all of Peté’s calypsos. After listening to Peté he would memorise his calypso and go to another venue and sing it as though it was his composition. Long after Olson left Barrouallie Sir Willy was still singing his songs. He is still around and I suspect he remembers most of them, including some which Peté himself might have forgotten.

Barrouallie in those days was famous for its Steelbands and later on its ‘Combo’ groups. The two well known bands were called after the areas from which they originated – the Bottle and Glass and Glebe Hill bands. These two bands always provided music for the two main carnival bands, the Bridge Boys and Sammo. John Horne still remembers this and was fascinated with their speed and endurance. They made it around town in no time and you had to virtually run-dance to catch up with them. After a short rest they were ready again to play for the final Carnival ‘rub down’. They participated in Steelband competitions and quite often one or other was placed at the top. Again the sound of the bus returning from Kingstown informed us about their fate. Then the ‘Combos’! There was the well known ‘Stardusters’, and how can I forget that memorable night at the Russell’s cinema when they showed their class and won the competition. At least two members of that group Bing Oliver and Samuel Mason are back home. There were also Dick Oliver, Bing’s brother who got into a fatal accident on the road near to the Nurses Hostel and Vin Charles, brother of Dr. Ellsworth Charles. I was a close associate of members of the band and took my seat at the Russell’s cinema. When the name of the Band was called they assembled on stage with their aging though not antiquated instruments. This was something to see! I had never seen more wires and cords assembled in one spot at one time. To fit these together took an inordinate length of time. In fact at one time I thought it was impossible for them to sort things out. But after some booing and curse words thrown at the MC, the band began and had everybody quiet and clapping at the end. Their music spoke for them and all was forgotten.

Caribbean Peté mentioned H.E.A.Daisley, who was one of the Head Teachers during his time. Daisley was the father of Lenny Daisley, and I remembered him particularly for his love of cricket, which I was then very much into. Peté said that he used his trumpet as an aid to teaching songs. I remember a number of old American Folk songs and often wondered how I got to know them. I now seem to have an answer. Although Peté was my teacher and favourite calypsonian I had hated him with a passion for about a year. During the year he taught me, I had passed the Entrance examination to the Grammar School and looked forward to entering that school in the next academic year. He convinced my mother that I should stay on and do the scholarship examination. How I remembered crying and cursing him! Fortunately for him, I never made it back to his class! A decision was taken through contacts made by an uncle for me to go to the Gomea Methodist School, where Alphonso Dennie was Headmaster. Like Casper Marshall, who was then in Layou, Alphonso had developed a reputation as a teacher of quality with a record of successes. So I made the journey from Barrouallie and stayed with Dennie.

Alphonso Dennie was a cricket fanatic and I remember quite often playing cricket in his yard with compos and leather balls. But even more than that he was an admirer of Ebenezer Joshua and would take us every Wednesday night to the market to listen to Joshua. He was fascinated with Ebenezer’s oratory and his ventures into Ancient History and the Bible. Alphonso did not believe in sparing the rod and spoiling the child. Every week for two or three days there were classes after school that involved the scholarship students and Supernumerary Teachers. Whatever task you were given you had to be sure to get at least 50 percent or contend with the sound and feel of his strap. He was in my view an exceptionally good teacher and particularly good in English and Arithmetic. For General Knowledge we had to read the newspapers and familiarise ourselves with the Student Companion. When I eventually entered the Grammar School having been one of three boys winning scholarships, I found that what I learnt in Arithmetic carried me right through to the fifth form. Some of the work I did with Dennie was the same work I was required to do in fifth form. I journeyed to Barrouallie from Gomea on weekends. Often it required me walking from Gomea to Kingstown so that I could save the ‘passage’ money to go to Matinee. And then it was back to Barrouallie, listening to Peté again although still annoyed with him. When I eventually made it to the Grammar School with a scholarship I was prepared to forgive him.

Peté’s article on July 17 did bring back fond memories. He did mention something that I always thought about. Being a part of the Blue Rhythm Orchestra did give him an advantage in those days when he entered the competition for as he indicated Syl was already familiar with his tune which could not have been said for the others.

Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian.